Whitmer Announces Judging Panel for #mi2020 Scholarship Competition

Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer announced the panel of judges today that will help select the winner of the #mi2020 Scholarship Competition. Students were asked to submit a short web video for the competition that explains the importance of investing in higher education and how the Michigan 2020 Plan to offer free college tuition to all students is the right investment for our state to make. Fifty-five students qualified for the semi-final round of the competition, with the top ten vote-getters moving on to the finals currently taking place.

The judges are former Congressman Joe Schwarz, Duffey Petrosky CEO Mark Petrosky, East Lansing School Teacher Josh Robertson, and recent Michigan State University graduate Erica Ervin.

“This panel of judges is going to help us determine the winners of the #mi2020 competition, but it's already been an incredible success,” said Whitmer. “We've had tens of thousands of Michigan residents watching these creative entries from students across the state that have showcased their talent and their belief that our Michigan 2020 Plan is the right plan for our state's future.”

The judges' votes will be combined with the public vote to determine the $10,000 first place winner, the $2,500 second place winner and the $1,000 third place winner. The finalists' entries are available online at www.mi2020video.com and voting is open through Friday, May 25. The public is encouraged to vote either online or via phone or text message. Information on how to vote is available on the website.

More information on the Michigan 2020 Plan to provide college tuition for all Michigan high school graduates is available online at www.michigan2020.com.